The gene KLF14 regulates body fat storage in women which can affect how susceptible a women is to type 2 diabetes. Most of the genes that are associated with type 2 diabetes relate to the pancreas, but, unlike these genes, the KLF14 gene relates to fat tissue. A particular version of this gene leads to storing more fat around the hips and causes women with larger hips to normally have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, people, in general, who have most of their weight stored at their midsection have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. The different variations of this particular gene may also be a factor in people's response to insulin. This gene, however, does not effect how heavy an individual might become, just where their body fat will be stored.
The original article explains the correlation between the KLF14 gene and the risk for type 2 diabetes. It is helpful to estimate risk of diabetes by just looking in a mirror. Although it is obviously better to eat clean and live a healthy lifestyle, an easy indicator of diabetes like placement of body fat is extra incentive not to grab for that extra slice of cake. Hopefully further research on this particular gene can lead to new treatments.
